The ground beneath quietly crumbled and sank,
the soil rotted from too many high heels,
cigarette butts jammed down the cracks.
The Pride quickly veered left to avoid
any collision while paddle-boaters sped up
their legs and peddled back to the pier.
Reptiles broke from glass cages,
slithered smoothly to the bottom,
their last chance for freedom.
Families watching an IMAX presentation awed
as the thick waves of the Atlantic
trickled in from the walls.
Harborplace waitresses tried to balance
ice cream sundaes while water
splashed around their ankles.
The planetarium buckled and small white
stars began to wilt,
fluttering down like dying moths.
On land, school field trips collected
and took notes with teacher's direction,
jugglers dropped clubs and
pigeons lost balance
while the center sailed on,
its flags leading the course,
determined to find treasure
in a harbor full of science.